Multi-function vehicle taillight system with unitary optic
First Claim
1. A taillight system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
- a assembly adapted for attachment to the vehicle;
an optic manifold mounted within the assembly and having a front surface defining a light emitting area, an input section on an end of the optic manifold, for receiving and dispersing light from a first light source generally parallel to the front surface in a general predetermined direction, and a back surface having a plurality of facets generally spaced apart in the general predetermined direction for redirecting light from the first light source through the front surface so as to provide illumination through the light emitting area;
a second light source configured to provide illumination through a predetermined portion of the light illuminating area; and
wherein the system has;
an illumination mode in which the first light source provides illumination of a first intensity in a first wavelength range through the light emitting area;
a brake mode in which the first light source provides illumination of a second intensity in the first wavelength range through the light emitting area;
a backup mode in which the second light source provides illumination in a second wavelength range through the at least one predetermined portion of the light emitting area, with or without the first light source providing illumination through the light emitting area, the second wavelength range including the first wavelength range; and
an off mode in which neither the first nor second light sources provide illumination.
15 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A taillight system for an automotive vehicle has an optic manifold mounted in a assembly defining a light emitting area, a first light source configured to provide illumination through the light emitting area, and a second light source configured to provide illumination through a predetermined portion of the light emitting area. The system has an illumination mode in which the first light source provides illumination of a first intensity in a first wavelength range through the light emitting area, a brake mode in which the first light source provides illumination of a second intensity in the first wavelength range through the light emitting area, and a backup mode in which the second light source provides illumination in a second wavelength range through the predetermined portion of the light emitting area, with or without the first light source providing illumination through the light emitting area, the second wavelength range including the first wavelength range.
227 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A taillight system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
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a assembly adapted for attachment to the vehicle; an optic manifold mounted within the assembly and having a front surface defining a light emitting area, an input section on an end of the optic manifold, for receiving and dispersing light from a first light source generally parallel to the front surface in a general predetermined direction, and a back surface having a plurality of facets generally spaced apart in the general predetermined direction for redirecting light from the first light source through the front surface so as to provide illumination through the light emitting area; a second light source configured to provide illumination through a predetermined portion of the light illuminating area; and wherein the system has; an illumination mode in which the first light source provides illumination of a first intensity in a first wavelength range through the light emitting area; a brake mode in which the first light source provides illumination of a second intensity in the first wavelength range through the light emitting area; a backup mode in which the second light source provides illumination in a second wavelength range through the at least one predetermined portion of the light emitting area, with or without the first light source providing illumination through the light emitting area, the second wavelength range including the first wavelength range; and an off mode in which neither the first nor second light sources provide illumination. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A taillight system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
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a assembly adapted for attachment to the vehicle; an optic manifold mounted within the assembly and having a front surface defining a light emitting area, an input section on an end of the optic manifold for receiving and dispersing light from a first light source generally parallel to the front surface in a general predetermined direction, and a back surface having a plurality of facets spaced apart in the general predetermined direction for redirecting light from the first light source through the front surface so as to provide illumination through the light emitting area; a second light source configured to provide illumination through a predetermined portion of the light emitting area; wherein the system has; an illumination mode in which the first light source provides illumination of a first intensity in a first wavelength range through the light emitting area; a brake mode in which the first light source provides illumination of a second intensity in the first wavelength range through the light emitting area; a backup mode in which the second light source provides illumination in a second wavelength range including white light through the at least one predetermined portion of the light emitting area, the second wavelength range including the first wavelength range; and an off mode in which neither the first nor second light sources provide illumination; and wherein light of the second wavelength range is emitted from the predetermined portion of the light emitting area when the system is in the backup mode, with or without the first light source providing illumination through the light emitting area, since the first wavelength range is contained in the second wavelength range. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification